Wrench.



No. 674,767. lPatented May 2|, |90I.. J. HOWELL.

WRENCH.

(Appucmn med Feb. 2e, 1901.)

(Ho Model.)

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NrED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES IIOl/VELL, OF LANCASTER, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN II.LITTRELL, OF SAME PLACE.

WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N o. 674,767, dated May 21,1901.

Application filed February 26, 1901. Serial No. 48,962. LNo model.)

T a/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES HOWELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lancaster, in the county of Fairfield and State of Ohio,have invented new and useful Improvements in Wrenches, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention relates to wrenches, and to that class having anadjustable jaw, and its 1o object is to improve the adjusting andlocking devices of the adjustable jaw.

The invention consists in the construction herein described and pointedout.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of theimproved wrench. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 ofFig. 2. Fig. e is a perspective of a lockingplate.

Numeral l denotes a handle of any usual zo construction, and 2 is afixed jaw made integral, in the present instance, with a portion of thehandle.

3 denotes an adjustable jaw. It is provided with a shank 4, whereby itis held in proper relation to the fixed jaw. This shank, which has lessthickness than the jaws, is situated in a slot 5, formed in the fixedjaw, and is movable therethrough to vary the distance between thegripping-faces of the jaws.

6 indicates a shoulder at the junction of the shank and jaw 3, and 7 isa shoulder on the fixed jaw, acting as a stop against the rear end ofjaw 3.

S denotes a slotted locking plate fitting upon the outside of the fixedjaw and embracing the jaw-shank, as shown.

9 indicates a tooth at the forward end of the slot, adapted to engageany one of the notches or slots l0 of a rack formed on the front edge4.o -of the shank 4. This tooth or holding-pawl 9 is beveled on itsouter side to give it a drawing action when crowded between two of therack-teeth. This provides for a nicer adjustment of the jaws than wouldbe otherwise practicable.

The plate when suitably engaged with the shank under the particulardesired adjustment of the movable jaw is fixed in position by aset-screw ll, working in a suitably-threaded Y 5o socket in the tool.

The jaws are made long and pointed to facilitate the use of the wrenchin corners and contracted spaces. One jaw is serrated to insure a goodholding grip and the other, preferably the movable jaw, is provided witha smooth face to favor intentional release.

The shoulder 7 prevents the tilting of the movable jaw and decreases the'leverage between the movable jaw and its shank.

The locking-plate is easily manipulated and at a considerable distancefrom the jaws. It has a secure and positive engagement with the jaw-rackand is itself firmly held by the thu mb-screw, which is subjected to nostrain.

Obviously the gripping capacity of the wrench has a wide range and theconstruction is characterized by simplicity, durability,ease ofadjustment, and general eiiciency.

I am aware that a wrench having a jaw provided with a shank transverselyadjustable in a slot in the shank of the coacting jaw, said transverselyadjustable jaw being serrated on its rear edge and engaged by aspring-actuated serrated plate, has been proposed and that a similarplate or cotter has also been held in operative position by means of ascrew situated in the handle lengthwise thereof. By my improvement thetransverse shank is notched or serrated on its front edge and cornbinedwith a plate situated lengthwise the tool and fixed to it opposite thenotched edge of the transverse shank. Preferablya single tooth isemployed to engage either one of the notches of the shank at will.Springs are dispensed with and the article is simplified inconstruction, the locking parts being at all times visible and easilyaccessible. tendency of the jaws to open in use is directly resisted bythe locking-plate acting on the front edge of the jaw-shank.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

In a Wrench, a movable jaw provided with a s hank notched on its'forwardedge, in combination with a plate having a tooth to engage the notchesof the shank, and a device for locking the plate to the tool, saiddevice consisting of a thumb-screw passing through the plate andengaging the shank of the opposing jaw.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JAMES HOWELL.

Witnesses:

C. F. LITTEELL, E. C. BUTTER.

Any'

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